The Blood Crown

When Yan Sikong returned to Qianzhou, Xu Yong greeted him very graciously, lamented the hardships of his journey, praised him for his meritorious service, but never mentioned the rumors he heard about him and Fengye, after all, rumors are just rumors , how can you believe it, and moreover, even if it is true, there are not many people like Shen Hexuan who dare to embarrass him face to face.

During the meeting, talking about Feng Ye's conditions for accepting Zhao'an, Yan Sikong shook his head again and again, saying that Feng Ye Lion opened his mouth, it must be difficult to negotiate for a while, and he asked Wu Mang to strengthen the city defense, and he must not relax.

Feng Ye's conditions really made everyone very angry. They thought that he had voluntarily retreated because of his peaceful intentions, but now it seems that they cannot be taken lightly.

Yan Sikong sighed: "Now it's peace and war, and I don't know what to do. Although the imperial court wants to order peace, but if Feng Ye is obsessed with his obsession, we are not afraid of him. We must prepare for a battle with him." The preparation is just to defend the city with Qianzhou's current strength, I'm afraid..."

Xu Yong said worriedly: "The seven counties of Qianzhou, plus the 3 soldiers and horses dispatched by Datong Mansion, have a total force of only [-], and nearly half of them are scattered in other cities. Although Qianzhou has natural dangers, it is my defense He attacks and has the upper hand, but if Fengye captures Maoren, our grain road will be cut off, even if Fengye cannot attack the city, the grain and grass in Qianzhou City can only last for one year."

Wu Mang said: "Feng Ye can't afford to spend a year, as long as we stick to the city, we can drag him down."

Yu Shenglang whispered: "If we can hold on..."

Wu Mang snorted coldly: "General Yu is from Datong, maybe he has heard too many legends about the Feng Family Army and frightened himself."

Yu Shenglang frowned: "Your official has indeed heard a lot of rumors about the Feng family's army, but the Feng family's army is brave and good at fighting, and everyone in the world knows it. Could it be that I am alarmist? It is better to be vigilant than to underestimate the enemy. .”

"You are not vigilant, you are clearly afraid."

"The two generals don't quarrel." Xu Yong smoothed things over, "The two generals are right, but let's listen to what Sir Yushi said."

Everyone looked at Yan Sikong again.

Yan Sikong's face was full of worry: "To tell you the truth, I once fought side by side with Feng Ye in Jingzhou. I used to not believe the rumors that he wore armor at the age of 11 and led the army at the age of 14, but the battle in Jingzhou really shocked me. Shocking. This son is not only brave, but also as fierce as a wolf in the use of soldiers. He is familiar with military books but does not follow the rules. Frustrated, the next battle is determined to win, judging from the current situation, if we really want to fight, I don't think Maoren can hold it."

The officials will be silent for a while.

Feng thought: "Lord Yan, no matter whether Zhao'an succeeds or not, he can be dragged on until winter, and it is very cold in the northwest, so he may withdraw his troops early."

Yan Sikong said solemnly: "I have written to your majesty to request this matter. On the one hand, if your majesty can rectify the name of the Feng family, or hand over Xie Zhongren to Feng Ye, then there will be a lot of room for maneuver in this matter. , as you said, you can delay Fengye's war opportunity. It's just that Fengye doesn't know that winter is coming, I'm worried that he will jump the wall in a hurry."

"In this way, Maoren is not very critical." Xu Yong's face was a little pale, "Does your lord have a good plan to keep Maoren? If Maoren falls, the food in Qianzhou will not be transported."

Yan Sikong pondered for a moment, then looked at Yu Shenglang: "I thought that to solve the crisis in Qianzhou, we must transfer troops from Datong."

Everyone looked at Yu Shenglang together.

Yu Shenglang was startled, and then smiled wryly: "Since the defeat of Oala, many Mongolian tribes that were previously gathered or suppressed by Oirat have become self-reliant and invaded the border from time to time. Although it is difficult to become a big climate, they are fighting guerrillas. Our troops are limited. , can’t be captured at all, the people at the frontier are suffering unspeakably, Datong is not what it used to be, and it is not easy to mobilize [-] soldiers.”

"In the memorial, I also implored Your Majesty to increase troops for Datong, but Datong borders Qianzhou. If Qianzhou falls, Datong's grain roads will also be restricted. Your lips will be dead and your teeth will be cold."

Yu Shenglang sighed: "How come I don't know, but Mr. Xue... also has his difficulties."

Xue Ronggui is now the general soldier of Datong. Since he took over the Datong army for three years, he has done nothing. He can't wipe out the Mongolian soldiers.The imperial court has been trying to negotiate with the Mongolian soldiers for the past three years, but due to the decline of Oara, the largest tribe in Mongolia, Mongolia has been separated, and there are still many tribes that are hostile. Today we have made peace with this one, and tomorrow the other one will come to burn Killing, looting, endless.

If Feng Jianping is still there, according to his strategy back then, he would pursue the victory while attacking the wandering Mongolian tribes, establish a stronger Datong line of defense, and at the same time support the new Mongolian king who is pro-my faction, unify the wandering tribes, open the mutual market, A good relationship between Yi and Xia is the perfect solution.

It's a pity that Feng Jianping, with his unfinished ambitions and the only hope for a century of peace in the northwest border, died unjustly in prison.

Yan Sikong knew that in order to mobilize the Datong army, peace must be restored on the border of Datong, otherwise they would compete in the Central Plains and the barbarians would take advantage of the situation to invade, and it would be all over.He said: "I want to see Mr. Xue."

"This……"

"It takes only two or three days to go to Datong. Your Majesty will only pay attention to the situation of Datong if I tell you about it. I will ask your majesty to send envoys to Mongolia. After the split of Oala, the Chahar tribe is now the strongest. Sheng, if we support the Chahar tribe to unify other tribes and open the horse market to them, at least we can solve the harassment of the border by those stragglers."

Xu Yongdao: "However, a few years ago, the ministers of the DPRK and China had a dispute over whether to open the horse market, and it finally came to nothing."

"A few years ago, the eunuchs were still in control of the government, but now it is naturally different. I will send a letter to General Zhao and Lord Tingwei respectively, urging them to remonstrate with His Majesty together." Yan Sikong narrowed his eyes, " The imperial court did not agree to the opening of the horse market, mainly because they were afraid of raising tigers, but now we can all see clearly that Chahar is not yet a climate, but the two big swords of Zhuoletai and Fengye are about to be swung to the neck."

"Master Yan is right." Wu Mang patted his thigh, "We have already discussed that if the opening of the horse market can bring Hetao back to life, my Dasheng is strong, even if Chahar gradually grows, I dare not take it lightly Invasion, on the contrary, the endless burning, killing and looting at the border gates is inexhaustible, leaving the vast and rich land in the Hetao with no one to cultivate and raise animals, so there is no long-term solution."

Yu Shenglang also agreed: "Xue Zongbing also has this intention, but the court refused to approve it several times. If Lord Yan can facilitate this matter, it will be a blessing to the army and people in the Northwest."

"So, please General Yu to accompany me to Datong and introduce General Xue to me."

"Okay, it's not too late, let's go tomorrow!"

Yan Sikong smiled lightly, his eyes were shining brightly.

-

Before leaving, Yan Sikong took care of all the officials and generals in Qianzhou. The poor and remote area of ​​Qianzhou has more oil and water than the less affluent place. Yan Sikong's move made the group of people believe in him even more.

On the way to Datong, Yan Sikong bribed Yu Shenglang heavily on his own. Yu Shenglang is an old man in Datong, and he never forgets the Feng Family Army, but now that the Feng Family Army has become a rebel army, he dare not let these thoughts appear on the surface That's all.

After receiving Yan Sikong's money, Yu Shenglang naturally knew everything. He revealed to Yan Sikong what positions all the officials and generals in Datong were standing in, and Yan Sikong immediately knew. Get Xue Ronggui alone, and then feed the soldiers below. The Datong army can become the Fengjia army again at any time. After all, the imperial court even defaults on the salary from time to time. Which old man in Datong does not miss the scenery and harmony of Datong when Feng Jianping was there. mighty.

As for Xue Ronggui, he was originally recommended by Xie Zhongren, but now that the eunuch party has collapsed, if he knows how to win over, he will win over, and if he can't win over, he will get rid of him, and he is clean and neat.

-

Yan Sikong was escorted by the 800 people he brought with him when he left Beijing, and came to Datong together with Yu Shenglang.

The situation in Datong is the same as what Yu Shenglang said. It occupies the solid defense line established by the predecessors, but it has no ability to destroy the Mongolian guerrillas. Conservative, because Chahar is still weak.

Xue Ronggui personally came to welcome Yan Sikong and prepared a banquet, but compared to Xu Yong and others' enthusiasm to please him, he seemed more reserved and indifferent. After all, although he was not an eunuch, he was indeed recommended by Xie Zhongren, for fear of Yan Sikong Find something to refer to him for a book.

On the other hand, Yan Sikong was humble and gentle, and never mentioned his vigorous death bomb. During the dinner, he just learned about Datong like Xue Ronggui, even though he had already learned most of it from Yu Shenglang.

The next morning, Yan Sikong and Yu Shenglang visited Xue Ronggui's mansion in person to discuss the opening of the horse market, and at the same time brought a box of generous gifts.

Although Xue Ronggui is the general of Datong, but the current Datong's military equipment has been greatly weakened, he is like the general of Qianzhou, he can't get much benefit, he is really shocked by Yan Sikong's big hand, but he knows that no merit will be rewarded , I don't know what Yan Sikong wants, so I dare not accept it.

Yan Sikong comforted him with a smile, saying that he gave this small gift in the hope that the horse market will be opened in the future, and don't forget his own benefits. Everyone knows that if the horse market opens, the Hetao area will be able to live in a few years , when the time comes, this barren land will also become a mountain of gold and silver, who doesn't want a piece of the action.

Only then did Xue Ronggui accept it with confidence, and he also warmed up to Yan Sikong a lot.

During the few days in Datong, Yan Sikong has been managing the officers and generals of Datong, and is also testing Xue Ronggui, trying to find the right time to reveal his true intentions to Xue Ronggui, but he is cautious in his actions. Going out, before he was sure, he had to deal with it patiently.

During this period, he also did a few things that are very puzzling to outsiders.

"Now is the autumn harvest season. I heard that the apricots in Datong are sweet, especially the ones in Dawan County are the most tender and juicy, and the mutton noodles are especially delicious. Brother Yu is from Datong. Can you take me to Cunfeng Mutton Restaurant to try? taste?"

Yu Shenglang asked in surprise, "Brother Yan, did he come to Datong before? How could he know so clearly?"

Yan Sikong smiled desolately: "A friend once told me that this memory has been remembered for many years..."

A full 17 years.

Sometimes he even blamed himself for having such a good memory. He could remember eighty-nine percent of the things he said to Feng Ye when he was young. They all said that Huiji would be hurt. Probably because others can heal pain with forgetting, but he can't even forget it. Can't do it.

"The Cunfeng Restaurant is a time-honored restaurant in Datong. It's in the city. I'll take Brother Yan to taste it today. As for the Xing'er in Dawan, it's just harvested in autumn. I ordered someone to send it to Brother Yan quickly. Brother, taste the delicacy of our Datong."

Yan Sikong smiled and said, "Thank you brother Yu."

Yu Shenglang took Yan Sikong with him, and Yan Sikong took Feng Xiang, who was his personal guard, and the three of them left the posthouse in plain clothes. They walked towards the south of the city on foot instead of riding a horse or taking a car.

It was dusk at this time, and from afar, I saw a two-story building on the street. People were sitting upstairs, downstairs and in front of the shop. Half a mile away, the fragrance is already tangy.

When they arrived at the mutton restaurant, Yu Shenglang gave Xiao Er a few pieces of silver: "Find us a good place."

"Oh, General Yu, why are you back? Come, come, my lords, please take your seat."

Xiao Er welcomed them into the restaurant, found a seat on the second floor by the window, served tea and water courteously, and quickly served three bowls of mutton noodles.

The bowl was bigger than a human face, and the wide, flat, white and tender noodles were lying in the soup bottom with golden butterflies, covered with green fresh onions, and several pieces that were as thin as paper, and half a bowl The size of the mutton is mouth-watering.

In addition to the noodles, Xiaoer also served them large pieces of sauced mutton, stewed lamb haggis and a catty of shochu.

Yu Shenglang filled the glasses for the two of them, and said with a smile, "Come here, try our mutton noodles, and then try our good wine, it's very strong."

Yan Sikong stared at the bowl for a while, picked up the chopsticks, and started to eat.

Both Yu Shenglang and Feng Xiang were stunned, Feng Xiang whispered: "Master Yan is so hungry."

Yan Sikong swallowed several mouthfuls before stopping, grabbed the wine glass in front of him, and drank it down in one gulp.

It was the first time for him to drink wine from Northwest China. The taste was tricky and spicy, and he was really not used to it. He choked him to tears immediately.

Yu Shenglang laughed loudly: "Well, let me just say, this wine is very strong."

Yan Sikong wiped away his tears, and then smiled: "Good wine, good noodles."

Feng Ye has eaten the best steamed buns in Guangning, and he has also eaten the best mutton noodles in Datong, but they will never have the chance to go to the south where it doesn't snow, eat fat fish, enjoy the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers all over the city, Look at the waves flying several feet high.

Completed half of the agreement, count... what?

Nothing counts.